Dedicated to all my readers for their patience. 😊
Part 5
Milind had returned home to find Baba waiting up for him, "Baba aap soye nahin?" You'r still awake Baba? he had asked placing Preeti in his lap. "Terey bina na kuch khaya hai na piya hai uper sey tuu meri gurya ko bhi saath ley gaya to kaisey sota main." I haven't eaten or slept in your absence and you took my doll with you too how could I sleep then. he had complained good naturedly while smothering Preeti in his loving embrace "Baba main to aapki wajah sey ley gaya tha warna aap pareshaan ho jaatey." Baba I had taken her away because of you else you'd have been worried. Preeti was switched on to hyper active mode her nap at the office had infused fresh energy in her and she happily jumped on the springy couch by her grandfather. Ramu kaka set the table and called them for dinner Milind fed Preeti her portion of mashed potatoes and rice coaxing her to take small spoonfuls as she wriggled in her high chair.
The girl was getting too much for Milind, putting her to sleep was another task he sighed as he watched her wipe her hands on her frock soiling it in the process. Baba observed sadly as Milind pulled her out of her chair and placing a kiss on his father's forehead proceeded up the winding staircase to his room. He had a busy schedule lined up for the next day and he knew it would take a complete hour for Preeti to settle down and finally fall asleep. Baba had silently prayed for his son to find peace in his life he had been through his share of miseries and now he wished his son could find someone to share his life with. He had tried explaining him that Preeti needed a mother much more than he needed a wife but his previous marraige had left him broken and hurt and his father understood his pain. There was only one person now who could make the impossible possible and Baba had his mind set on seeking help immediately.
Prachi had woken to see her mother cooking breakfast she had slept late and was now feeling guilty freshening up hurriedly she helped her mother. "Maa ab Daadi ki tabiyat kaisi hai?" How is Daadi feeling now Maa.she had asked "Raat sey kaafi behter hai." Much better than last night her mother had replied as they had breakfast Bobby had joined them handing his mother his tuition money he left for college in a hurry. Premlata had accepted it wistfully casting a sad glance at his young face the boy had started looking ten years older but he bore the brunt with patience not complaining once.
Prachi had cleared the table and getting dressed left for another long day hunting for a job. She had reached the courtyard in front of the chawl when she heard Ramesh uncle call her from behind. "Prachi bitiya phone hai tumhara" Prachi phone call for you he had informed her Ramesh uncle ran a small shop near the chawl selling odds and ends his shop's number was the one Prachi had put on her cv. She hoped it was for a job opening she had been dropping her cv's in different companies in search for a respectable one. "Hello!" she breathed "Is that Prachi Shah?" a feminine voice confirmed her identity "Yes speaking" "Ms Shah you have an interview at Mishra Towers at 2:00 pm today will you be able to make it?" the voice had inquired "Yes...yes I will" she had replied deliriously they had reconsidered her for the interview she thanked Ramesh uncle and said a silent prayer in her heart. Sharp at 2 she sat opposite Madhu in her office.
Milind Mishra's office had the air of dignity and power that matched his persona. Prachi had been ushered in by Madhu and was left to absorb the details in peace the room was magnificently done it had a rich combination of solid hues. The walls were a warm shade of scarlet the doors and windows were done in ash white with matching blinds for the french windows. A huge black mahogany bookshelf adorned the south wall filled with box and leaf files on various projects.The floor boasted of italian marble with a smooth finish, his desk was a solid block of black mahogany accompanied by his comfortable plush black leather swivel armchair. She herself was seated on one of the similar smaller sized leather chairs placed across the desk. His expensive jacket was draped on his chair making the owner's presence felt in the large room .The desk was cluttered with his laptop, marble paper weights, ash trays, project files and two telephones he obviously was a workaholic she could hear the gentle hum of the air condition as it reduced the temperature inside the room.
She heard the door handle click he walked in the room and took his seat opposite her. "Ms Shah" he addressed her formally "I'm glad you could make it. I was informed of your rather embarrassing episode yesterday I thought you should get another shot. Your file" Prachi extended it to him while he read it with concentration, Prachi studied him he seemed an unusually handsome man his trimmed beard and moustache enhanced the ruggedness of his features. His eyes were deep and soulful it seemed they harboured many a mystery in their depths but it was his unsmiling lips that captured her attention. He was dressed in all black today and she thought it suited him.
He looked up to see her looking at him intently. "Your documents seem impressive you've had good education and you seem to have some experience working with Sonya Kapoor. Our company deals in the hotel business we run a chain of them across India and in Turkey. You may not have experience in this field but you can learn. Are you ready to get on board then? " "Yes Sir." Prachi had assented "One more thing" he had added as an afterthought Prachi turned round to face him "Besides being my PA you'll be handling another position Ms Shah." "What of Sir?" "My daughter Preeti's governess."
Prachi had looked at him in utter disbelief she had not expected him to place his only child in her care. "Magar main kaisey." But how can I she had asked genuinely taken aback. "Preeti buhut kam kisi ko itni jaldi pasand kerti hai. Merey paas waqt nahin warna iski zarurat nahin parti." Preeti normally doesn't like strangers that easily. I don't have time else it wouldn't have been necessary. he had stated matter of factly running his fingers through his curls he sighed "Agar nahin ker sakti to abhi bata dey warna..." If you can't do it tell me now otherwise... he could not complete his sentence as they heard a slight knock on the door. It was Madhu carrying Preeti in her arms Preeti took one look at Prachi and laughed in happiness Milind raised his eyebrows at Prachi giving her the I told you so look. Prachi had taken her from Madhu and kissed her on her fluffy cheek .
"To phir kiya socha tuu ney?" What have you thought then? he had asked her once again. "Mujhey manzoor hai" I accept she had said as Preeti played with Prachi's velvet strands. "Fine" he rose to open a private door in the office leading to another room it was thickly carpeted and done in light blue shades. A crib was placed in the middle a few soft toys were strewn around "Yeh iska kamra hai tujhey bhi yahin bethna hoga isskey saath." This is her room you'll have to stay with her here. She had slowly shaken her head in the affirmative, she wondered why he addressed her the way he did and where exactly was the child's mother. Curious she asked "Preeti ko governess ki kiya zarurat hai I mean iski mother?" Why does Preeti need a governess I mean her mother? The question had caused Milind to stop in mid stride turning back he gently closed the door behind him facing Prachi "Mujhey zyaada sawaal pasand nahin khaas ker jab sawaal personal hon." I don't like being questioned especially when the questions are personal he had answered quietly his steely tone matched his hardened looks.
His eyes spelt fury and the emphasis he laid on each word indicated that he did not require further questioning on the matter. Prachi was terribly taken aback she had not expected such a sudden change in his manner and tone. She sensed a torrid change in the undercurrents that flowed beneath the deceptively calm surface of his pitch black eyes, she watched as he returned back to his chair and lit a cigarette taking a deep puff of burnt tobacco he raised his eyes to meet her puzzled ones. "You can join from tomorrow leave her with Madhu before you go" saying so he flipped open a file and pondered on it gravely puffing on the burning cigarette lodged comfortably between his index and third finger. Prachi suddenly felt claustrophobic in that room it now smelt heavily of smoke and it felt as if his anger had seeped in the very walls she walked out in the corridor hearing the door click shut behind her.
Part 6 pg 24
Edited by blind horizon - 16 years ago
CID
